Netflix and Sony Pictures have finalized a long-term global licensing agreement that significantly reshapes how Sony films will reach streaming audiences. Reported to be valued at around $7 billion, the deal grants Netflix exclusive first-streaming rights to Sony’s theatrical releases worldwide once they complete their cinema runs. Full global rollout is expected by early 2029, once existing regional licensing agreements expire.
This arrangement expands on a partnership that already existed in select markets such as the United States and parts of Europe. What changes now is scale. The agreement standardizes access across nearly all Netflix territories, making it the first worldwide Pay-1 deal of its kind for a major Hollywood studio. While neither company has disclosed the precise length of the exclusivity window, industry norms typically place it at roughly 18 months before titles become available on other platforms.
The deal also includes access to portions of Sony’s back catalog, though specific films have not yet been confirmed. Titles such as KPop Demon Hunters, Uncharted, and Anyone But You are already streaming in some regions, offering a preview of how Sony content may increasingly sit alongside Netflix originals in the coming years.
For Netflix, the agreement strengthens an already extensive film library at a time when competition among streaming platforms is tightening. For Sony, which does not operate its own global streaming service, the deal reinforces a strategy focused on licensing rather than direct-to-consumer distribution. The studio continues to prioritize theatrical releases while securing predictable revenue from large-scale streaming partnerships.
Looking ahead, several confirmed Sony projects are expected to arrive on Netflix after their cinema runs. KPop Demon Hunters 2 has already been greenlit under the partnership, though its release is not expected until 2029. The Legend of Zelda movie, a live-action adaptation of Nintendo’s long-running franchise, is currently in production and scheduled for theatrical release on May 7, 2027, before moving to Netflix.
Another high-profile title is Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, the final installment in the animated trilogy centered on Miles Morales, set for cinemas on June 18, 2027. Also on the slate is Buds, an animated feature with limited details released so far, currently dated for March 12, 2027.
Rounding out the list is an unusual project from director Sam Mendes: four interconnected films about The Beatles, each told from the perspective of a different band member. All four films are scheduled for simultaneous theatrical release on April 7, 2028, before eventually streaming on Netflix under the Sony agreement.
Taken together, the deal signals a consolidation of major studio output on fewer platforms. While audiences may benefit from clearer access to Sony titles, it also underscores how streaming exclusivity is becoming increasingly centralized.
